OTTAWA-The Women’s National Team wrapped up the Triangle Series in Cuba by blanking Venezuela 2-0 earlier today. Canada had defeated Cuba 11-5 on Tuesday and 10-7 on Wednesday to finish the Triangle Series with a 5-1 record.
In addition to the Canadian National Team, the Triangle Series also featured the National Teams of host Cuba and Venezuela. The event was used as a tune-up for the Women’s World Cup which will take place August 10th-19th in Edmonton, Alberta.
“The Triangle Series was an invaluable experience for our team as we prepare for the World Cup in Edmonton,” said Field Manager André Lachance. “The weather all week was great and we had great support from our Cuban hosts.”
Canada 11 Cuba 5
Heidi Northcott (Rocky Mountain House, AB) tossed three strong innings on the mound and Stéphanie Savoie (La Pocatiére, QC) went 2-for-4 with 3 RBI as Canada defeated Cuba 11-5. Other offensive contributions came from Jennifer Gilroy (Mississauga, ON), Rebecca Hartley (White Rock, BC) and Bradi Wall (Swift Current, SK) who had 2 RBI apiece. The game was played at Estadio Latinoamericano in downtown Havana, the home of the legendary Industriales of the Serie Nacional (Cuba’s top league).
Canada 10 Cuba 7
Meagan Cornelssen (Grand-Prairie, AB) went 2-for-3 with a triple and 5 RBI as Canada defeated Cuba by a 10-7 score. The Canadian offence was firing on all cylinders as Ashley Stephenson (Mississauga, ON) had an RBI, while going 3-for-5 and Stéphanie Savoie kept her hot bat going as she went 2-for-2 with an RBI. Britany Chan (Richmond Hill, ON) picked up the win on the mound and Samantha Ostrom (Calgary, AB) earned the save.
Canada 2 Venezuela 0
Jessica Bérubé (Québec City, QC) tossed four shutout innings, while Brinley McLaren (Brantford, ON) and Melissa Armstrong (Saskatoon, SK) were strong in relief giving Canada a 2-0 shutout win over Venezuela. McLaren threw scoreless frames in the fifth and sixth and Armstrong picked-up the save to wrap-up the week-long Triangle Series. Nicole Luchanski (Edmonton, AB) went 2-for-3 at the plate and Stéphanie Savoie doubled. Canada recorded five hits in the well pitched game with singles coming off the bats of Ashley Stephenson and Jennifer Gilroy.
Notes: Players, coaches and staff will return home early tomorrow morning and preparations will now begin for the IBAF Women’s World Cup August 10th-19th in Edmonton, Alberta…The team selection process will begin July 25th-28th at the Senior Women Invitational in Spruce Grove , AB where the final roster will be chosen…Team Canada will then hold practices and play a six-game exhibition series in Edmonton and nearby St. Albert before opening the World Cup on August 10th against Chinese Taipei at Telus Field in Edmonton.
